Sri Lanka keeps visa-on-arrival programme on hold

The programme was expected to be implemented from May 1 for tourists from over 30 countries

IANS | Colombo | April 25, 2019 4:50 pm

People work at a blast scene at St. Anthony's Church in Kochchikade in Colombo, Sri Lanka (Photo: IANS)

Sri Lanka’s Tourism Ministry said on Thursday that it has kept its new visa-on-arrival programme on hold until further notice due to the security situation in the island nation following the Easter Sunday bombings.

The programme was expected to be implemented from May 1 for tourists from over 30 countries, reports Xinhua news agency.

“Investigations have revealed foreign links to the attacks and we do not want this facility to be abused,” Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs John Amaratunga said.

The pilot programme was part of a larger initiative to increase tourist arrivals to the island during the six-month off-season period from May to October.

Tourism was one of the worst-hit industries following the deadly blasts on Sunday that killed 359 people and injured over 500 others.